Mr. Speaker, I would like to repeat the question just posed by my colleague from the Bloc about actual figures from the government for cash transfers by the federal government to provincial governments. That is the critical question here today.
We have heard clear figures from the Bloc and we know from the provincial premiers their assessment of the situation, yet the government continues to refuse to address specifically the critical question at hand. What is, from the government's own estimates, the federal share in cash transfer dollars to the provincial governments for health care? That is one question.
The second question relates to the response of the parliamentary secretary just now when he said in effect “don't worry, be happy”, the system will be here 25 years from now. The fact of the matter is it will not be here even one year from now if the federal government does not make some immediate moves. As the share stays at below 15%, or whatever number the government will finally admit to, provincial governments like those of Alberta and British Columbia are taking very drastic measures that fundamentally alter the nature of health care in Canada today and actually bring us very close to that point of crisis, after which there is no point of return.
Therefore my other question for the parliamentary secretary is this: What is the current government thinking in terms of emergency transitional funds to assure provinces that as Romanow proceeds with his dialogue, discussions and public hearings there will be some assistance to help bridge the gap and ensure that these fundamental transformative changes to health care are not undertaken in Canada today?